Q: What Is Orthodontics?

A: Orthodontics is a specialty branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. An orthodontist receives an additional two years in graduate school beyond those required for general dentistry. Braces are the appliances that are generally used to correct these problems.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Orthodontics?

A: Your new, attractive smile is sure to give you an improved self-image. But beyond that, orthodontics can prevent health problems as well. Straight teeth are easier for you and your dental team to clean, avoiding tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, and tooth loss. They can even help prevent chewing and digestive difficulties, and speech impairments.

Q: At What Age Should Orthodontic Treatment Occur?

A: Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist at age 7.

Q: What Is a Malocclusion?

A: Malocclusion literally means bad bite. Most malocclusions are inherited, but it is possible to acquire a bad bite from habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb sucking.

Q: What Are Some Early Warning Signs of a Bite Problem?

A: Any of the following conditions warrant a visit to an orthodontist: early or late loss of primary teeth, difficulty in chewing or biting, mouth breathing, finger sucking or other oral habits beyond age 5, overlapped, misplaced or blocked-out teeth, protruding teeth, biting the cheek or into the roof of the mouth, teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or do not meet at all, jaws that shift or make sounds, jaws that protrude, retrude or contribute to facial imbalance, speech difficulty.

Q: Will Braces Hurt?

A: Most patients experience some discomfort the first week after their braces are put on and immediately after an adjustment. Any pain reliever normally taken for headaches plus salt water rinses can be used to ease the discomfort. (See the “First Aid for Braces” section for more information.)

Q: What Can I Eat with Braces?

A: You can enjoy most of the foods you ate before you got your braces. But avoid hard, crunchy and sticky foods can damage braces and should be avoided. (See the “Life with Braces” section for more information.)

Q: Why Do Baby Teeth Sometimes Need to Be Pulled?

A: Extracting baby teeth may be necessary to allow severely crowded permanent teeth to come in at a normal time in a normal location. If the teeth remain crowded, some permanent teeth can be impacted (teeth that should have come in, but have not), or come in to an undesirable position. To allow severely crowded teeth to move on their own into much more desirable positions, sequential removal of baby teeth and occasionally permanent teeth (usually first premolars) can dramatically improve a severe crowding problem.

Q: What About the Wisdom Teeth—Should They Be Removed?

A: In about three out of four cases where teeth have not been removed during orthodontic treatment, there are good reasons to have the wisdom teeth removed, usually when a person reaches his or her mid- to late- teen years. Your orthodontist, in consultation with your family dentist, can determine what is right for you.

Q: How Long Will I Have to Undergo Orthodontic Treatment?

A: It varies for each patient and always depends on how much your jaw needs to change and how far your teeth must move.

Q: Will I Still Be Able to Play Sports?

A: Yes, although we recommend that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are comfortable and inexpensive. We’ll be happy to design one for you.

Q: Will Braces Interfere with Playing Musical Instruments?

A: They shouldn’t at all, although there may be an initial period of adjustment. Let us know if you have any problems.

Q: Can You Be Too Old for Braces?

A: Not at all! While there are advantages to treating young people while they are still growing, about 25% of orthodontic patients in the United States are adults. In addition to the tremendous strides that have been made in traditional orthodontic treatment, adults are also great candidates for Invisalign© treatment.

Q: Why Are Retainers Needed After Orthodontic Treatment?

A: After your braces are removed, your teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. And make sure to wear your retainers exactly as Dr. Pearson instructs you – it’s the best insurance that your treatment improvements will last a lifetime.

Q: Is Orthodontic Care Expensive?

A: Orthodontic fees have increased only fractionally as compared to other consumer products. And when orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. After examining you or your child, we will review the costs involved with treatment. We offer a variety of payment programs that will meet your needs. (See the section “Dollars and Sense of Orthodontics” for more information.) In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontics.

Q: How Often Will I Need Office Visits?

A: Once your appliances are in place, routine office visits are at six-to-ten week intervals.